Loading rail and sliding block for a loading rail

ABSTRACT

A loading rail has a cross-sectional profile which is uniform over at least part of the length of said loading rail, has, on an upper side, a longitudinal groove for receiving at least one sliding block, the longitudinal groove being constricted in an upper region by at least one web, which is attached to a side wall of the longitudinal groove, to form a longitudinal slot, and the web bearing at least one downwardly projecting projection, wherein the projection forms an undercut on a side facing away from the longitudinal slot, as seen from below. The disclosure also relates to a sliding block for a loading rail.

The invention relates to a loading rail, in particular for use invehicles, and to a sliding block for use with a loading rail of thistype.

When loading vehicles, it is frequently a problem to securely fastenobjects such that the latter are fixed to the vehicle during thejourney. To this end, it is known, for example, to pull lashing straps,with which load objects are fixed within the luggage compartment of avehicle, through fixed eyes. However, fixed eyes are not suitable forall loads and situations that occur. More flexible handling cantherefore be made possible by fastening elements which are displaceableon loading rails, can be brought into a multiplicity of positions and onwhich, for example, eyes for lashing straps are arranged. Furthermore,components of workshop equipment, such as, for example, containers forsmall parts, frequently have to be fastened securely in a vehicle.Increased demands in respect of the handling and the safety are imposedin particular on fastening systems for seats and other objects ofvehicle installations which, for example, have to have a sufficientretaining capability even in the event of a crash. In respect ofreducing the production costs, it would be desirable to provide auniform fastening system which meets the demands imposed onhandleability and safety for all of the applications mentioned and, atthe same time, provides a maximum amount of flexibility and adaptabilityto different objects to be fixed and fixing locations.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,671 discloses a lashing device which consists ofelements which are connectable to one another and each have a lashingchannel in which sliding blocks, which bear a ring for the fastening oflashing straps, are guided. For the guidance of the sliding blocks, thechannel has lips projecting into the channel and lateral projections.This does not make it possible to achieve adequate fixing safety forfastening seats. Furthermore, jamming of the sliding blocks duringdisplacement cannot always be reliably avoided.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,874,774 B2 discloses a loading system for vehicles, inwhich a sliding block which bears a holder, for example for a lashingstrap, is guided in a longitudinal groove of a loading rail. The slidingblock has two parallel grooves, in which corresponding projections ofthe loading rail reach and prevent rotation necessary for the removal ofthe sliding block from the guide rail. The sliding blocks are likewiseclamped via the projections and the grooves of the sliding block. U.S.Pat. No. 7,070,374 B2 discloses a fastening arrangement in which aholder can be clamped in a slot in a rail or can be released therefromfor displacement, the holder having flute regions interacting with therail, and toothed edges. Even this does not ensure adequately securefixing for all of the applications mentioned.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a loading rail and asliding block for a loading rail of this type, by means of which theabovementioned disadvantages are avoided. In particular, this isintended to permit fixing which is as flexible as possible but which atthe same time meets the respective safety requirements, both of loadsand of installations or seats in a vehicle, along with simple handling.

This object is achieved by a loading rail and by a sliding block asindicated in the independent claims.

A loading rail according to the invention has a cross sectional profilewhich is uniform at least over part of the length of the loading rail.The loading rail has, on the upper side thereof, a longitudinal groovewhich extends at least over part of the length of the loading rail. Thelongitudinal groove is designed for receiving at least one slidingblock, the sliding block being intended to be displaceable over at leastpart of the length of the loading rail. The longitudinal groove isconstricted in the upper region thereof, at least in a subregion of thelength thereof, by at least one web, which is attached to a side wall ofthe longitudinal groove, to form a longitudinal slot. By this means,removal of the sliding block transversely with respect to thelongitudinal direction of the loading rail can be prevented in thisregion. The web bears at least one downwardly projecting projection.

According to the invention, the projection forms an undercut on a sideof the projection facing away from the longitudinal slot, as seen frombelow, i.e. as seen from a lower region of the longitudinal groove. Aloading rail according to the invention therefore not only has a firstundercut, which comes about by the fact that the longitudinal groove isconstricted in the upper region thereof, at least in a subregion of thelength thereof, by the at least one web, which is attached to a sidewall, to form a longitudinal slot; by means of said first undercut, asliding block, which is matched to the internal profile of thelongitudinal groove, is held in a form-fitting manner in thelongitudinal groove of the loading rail against being pulled out upward.The loading rail according to the invention comprises at least onefurther undercut which is produced, for example, by a bead-like designof the projection projecting downward from the web, or by an inclinationof the projection in a direction away from the longitudinal slot; thefurther undercut also holds the sliding block against being pulled outdownward in the upper region of the longitudinal groove. The loadingrail according to the invention in this sense has a double undercut. Bymeans of the double undercut, the sliding block is interlocked with theloading rail in such a manner that, even in the event of an extremeloading resulting in a deformation of the loading rail and/or of thesliding block, the sliding block can be prevented from being pulled outof the longitudinal groove.

Owing to the fact that the projection, as seen from below, forms anundercut, when a force which is directed substantially upward is exertedon the sliding block, the sliding block is prevented, with increasedreliability, from being pulled out of the longitudinal groove. Thesliding block can also be prevented, with increased reliability, frombeing pulled in a tilted manner out of the longitudinal groove. It hasbeen shown, in particular, that, by means of the design according to theinvention of a loading rail, a substantially improved retainingcapability can be achieved in the event of a crash. Furthermore, jammingof the sliding block due to unintentional rotation or due to frictionalforces during the displacement is reliably prevented. By this means, notonly a simplified, in particular lighter construction of the loadingrail is made possible using inexpensive materials, but the handling isalso improved.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the projection isarranged adjacent to the longitudinal slot. The projection is thereforeattached to that edge of the web which forms the border of thelongitudinal slot and constitutes a downwardly curved end of the web.This achieves a particularly stable design which, even in the case of arelatively thin-walled design of the loading rail, ensures aparticularly high pull-out force.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, theat least one projection is directed toward a guide surface of theloading rail. Said guide surface can be designed in particular as aninside surface of a side wall of the longitudinal groove. Said surfacecan lie perpendicularly to the upper side of the loading rail orobliquely with respect thereto and can be designed, for example, as aguide slope. Owing to the fact that the projection is directed toward aguide surface, particularly reliable guidance of the sliding block isensured, thus, with particularly high reliability, ruling out aninadvertent jamming during displacement.

In an advantageous manner, that side of the projection which faces thelongitudinal slot forms a slope which runs approximately parallel to asubregion of the surface of the projection on a side facing away fromthe longitudinal slot, in particular to a subregion of the surface inthe region of the further or double undercut. This permits a stableembodiment of the loading rail that can be produced in a particularlysimple manner.

Furthermore, it is preferred for the longitudinal groove to beconstricted by two mutually opposite webs. In an advantageous manner,each of the two webs bears a projection, it being particularlyadvantageous for each of the two projections to form an undercut on aside facing away in each case from the longitudinal slot, as seen frombelow. The two undercuts are therefore directed counter to each other.The loading rail can accordingly also have two guide surfaces. Thisensures particularly reliable guidance of the sliding block and apull-out force which is increased further.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, theloading rail is of mirror-symmetrical design with respect to alongitudinal center plane of the loading rail. This means that the twowebs and the projections are in each case configured identically, but ina mirror-inverted manner with respect to one another, in the same manneras the guide surfaces optionally are. The symmetrical configurationpermits a simple and light construction and also particularly reliablehandling.

In an advantageous manner, the loading rail has a flat lower side. Theflat lower side can be designed in particular for connecting the loadingrail to a base, for example a floor plate, a side wall, a ceiling oranother supporting structure of a vehicle. For this purpose, the lowerside of the loading rail can be provided, for example, with bores.

The cavity formed within the loading rail, or the longitudinal groove,can furthermore comprise a region which is not required for receivingthe sliding block and in which, for example, screw heads or rivet headsof screws or rivets, with which the loading rail is fastened on a base,can be accommodated. This permits simple fastening without thedisplaceability of the sliding block being impaired.

A sliding block according to the invention comprises a central part andat least one side part, the central part being designed for interactionwith a connecting means which is insertable through a longitudinal slotin a loading rail, for example a screw for connection to a fasteningmeans. According to the invention, on an upper side of the slidingblock, as seen from a lower side of the sliding block, the at least oneside part has an undercut directed toward the central part. The undercutpermits interaction with a corresponding projection of a loading rail inorder to improve the guidance of the sliding block and to increase thepull-out force.

In particular, a sliding block according to the invention is designedfor accommodation in a longitudinally displaceable manner in thelongitudinal groove of a loading rail according to the invention. Forthis purpose, the sliding block in particular has a length which issignificantly smaller than the length of the loading rail, and also across sectional surface which is uniform over the length of the slidingblock. The length of the sliding block, as measured in the longitudinaldirection of the loading rail, can be greater than the width of thesliding block, as measured in the transverse direction, i.e.transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction; however, thelength of the sliding block can also be the same size as, or smallerthan, the width of the sliding block. The cross sectional surface of thesliding block is preferably at least partially shaped in a complementarymanner with respect to the cross sectional surface of the longitudinalgroove for accommodation in the loading rail. The cross sectionalprofile here is preferably uniform over the entire, or virtually theentire, length of the sliding block. The sliding block is preferablydimensioned in such a manner that it can easily be displaced, whenaccommodated in the loading rail, but cannot be rotated to such anextent that frictional forces could result in jamming. For this purpose,a suitable degree of play is provided between the sliding block and theinner wall of the longitudinal groove.

The central part preferably has a slope on the upper side thereof towardthe side part. This makes it possible to provide a particularly stableembodiment of the sliding block which can be subjected to high loading.The slope can advantageously be formed approximately parallel to asurface of the side part in the region of the undercut, thus improvingthe guidance of the sliding block in a corresponding loading rail.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding block is of symmetricaldesign with respect to a longitudinal center plane of the sliding blockand has two side parts which in each case, as seen from below, form anundercut directed toward the central part. If the sliding block isinserted into the loading rail, the longitudinal center plane of thesliding block can coincide with that of the loading rail.

In a preferred manner, the sliding block is designed as a sliding nutwith a thread for receiving a screw, which is insertable through thelongitudinal slot, of a fastening means, said sliding nut serving as aconnecting means. The fastening means can serve, for example, for fixinga load item, wherein the fastening means can have, for example, an eyefor fastening a lashing strap. However, the fastening means can alsohave, for example, an installation elbow for the fastening of anintermediate wall or workshop equipment, or else can be designed, forexample, for the fastening of a seat.

In a particularly preferred manner, the sliding block is of clampabledesign for nonpositive fixing on the loading rail. For this purpose, thesliding block can be designed, for example, as part of a clampablefastening element which comprises a fastening means which can be clampedto the sliding block via a screw. For this purpose, the loading rail canhave contact surfaces which absorb the forces transmitted bycomplementary contact surfaces of the sliding block. The designaccording to the invention of the loading rail and of the sliding blockhere permits the transmission of particularly high forces without theloading rail being substantially deformed. By means of clamping of thesliding block, for example by tightening of the screw, a particularlyreliable fixing of the sliding block and of the fastening element whichis connected thereto is therefore made possible in a simple manner. Bythis means, even objects to which particularly high safety requirementsapply, such as, for example, vehicle seats, can be reliably connected tothe vehicle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sliding block is designed insuch a manner that whenever the sliding block is accommodated in theloading rail, a clearance remains on the lower side of said slidingblock. This has the further advantage that means for fastening theloading rail, for example, to a floor, to a wall or to a ceiling of avehicle can be arranged in the clearance. For example, screw heads ofscrews, with which the lower side of the loading rail is fastened to asupporting structure, can be accommodated in the clearance, andtherefore the free displaceability of the sliding block is not impairedas a result.

A loading rail according to the invention can advantageously beproduced, for example, from steel or from aluminum, for example bybending of a plate or by extrusion. Inexpensive alloys of normalstrength can be used here. A sliding block according to the inventioncan be produced, for example, by cutting a corresponding steel oraluminum profiled bar to size.

The present invention has been described with regard to the fixing ofobjects in vehicles, but is not limited thereto.

The invention is explained by way of example below in more detail withreference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a loading rail according tothe invention with a sliding block inserted therein, in a crosssectional illustration;

FIG. 2 shows the loading rail with the sliding block according to FIG. 1inserted therein together with a connecting means and an adaptor;

FIG. 3 shows a section of a loading rail according to the invention in aperspective illustration;

FIG. 4 shows a sliding block according to the invention in a perspectiveillustration;

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a loading rail according to theinvention, which is arranged for fastening to a vehicle wall;

FIGS. 6 a to 6 c show further exemplary embodiments of loading railsaccording to the invention, in each case in a cross sectionalillustration, which loading rails are integrated in profile elements;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c show profile elements or loading floors with integratedloading rails in cross sectional and perspective illustrations, and

FIG. 8 shows the exemplary embodiment, which is illustrated in FIG. 1,of the loading rail with the sliding block inserted therein, in anenlarged partial illustration.

According to FIG. 1, a loading rail 1 according to the invention, whichsurrounds a cavity 2, is shown in a cross sectional illustration. Thecavity 2 is designed as a longitudinal groove which opens with respectto the upper side of the loading rail 1 into a constricted longitudinalslot 3. The loading rail has a substantially flat upper side 4, sidewalls 5 and a substantially flat lower side 6. The upper side 4 isformed by webs 7 which bound the longitudinal slot 3. Overall, theloading rail 1 is therefore shaped in cross section approximately as a Cprofile. Flanges or projections 8 which, as seen from below, in eachcase form an undercut 9 are attached to the webs 7. The projections 8project into the cavity 2 from above and are in each case directedcounter to a guide slope 10.

As FIG. 1 shows, a sliding block 11 is inserted into the loading rail.The sliding block 11 is of substantially complementary design in thecross sectional profile to the shape of the cavity 2 of the loading rail1. The sliding block 11 comprises a central part 12 which has aninternal thread 13, and also two side parts 14. The central part 12 fitsinto the longitudinal slot 3 and projects through the latter virtuallyas far as the upper side 4 of the loading rail. The side parts 14 eachhave an undercut 15 which projects into a groove running between thecentral part 12 and the side parts 14 and fits together with theundercut 9 of the projection 8. The side parts 14 and therefore thesliding block 11 are guided between the projections 8 and the guideslopes 10, thus avoiding jamming of the sliding block 11 duringdisplacement.

The loading rail 1 and the sliding block 11 are constructedsymmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center plane. The flatlower side 6 of the loading rail 1 permits simple fastening of theloading rail to a base, for example to a floor plate or to anothervehicle structure. A clearance 16 in which, for example, screw heads orrivet heads of a means of fastening the loading rail to a vehiclestructure can be accommodated, can remain below the sliding block 11.This ensures free movability of the sliding block. The raised design ofthe side walls 5 to ensure the clearance 16 can likewise be advantageousif increased rigidity of the loading rail 1 is desired.

As FIG. 2 shows, an adaptor 18 can be screwed to the sliding block 11with a screw 17 serving as a connecting means. The external thread ofthe screw 17 is not illustrated in FIG. 2. The adaptor can bearfastening means for fastening, for example, lashing straps,installations or seats. Tightening of the screw 17 enables the slidingblock 11 to be clamped to the adaptor, and therefore said sliding blockis fixed nonpositively to the loading rail 1. The transmission of forcebetween sliding block 11 and loading rail 1 takes place via a contactregion which extends in the region of the side parts 14 of the slidingblock 11 or in the upper region of the side walls 5 and in thetransition region to the webs 7 and optionally on the lower side of thewebs 7. Furthermore, there is a frictional connection between theadaptor 18 and the upper side 4 of the loading rail. The interaction ofthe projections 8 with the complementary shape of the side parts 14 ofthe sliding block 11 permits the exertion of a particularly high forcewithout a substantial deformation of the loading rail 1 occurring. Theloading rail 1 can therefore be of particularly light and optionallyflexible design.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the loading rail 1 according to FIGS. 1and 2 in a perspective view. The loading rail 1 has, on the lower sidethereof, bores 19 for fastening to a base. Furthermore, recesses 20permitting an additional form-fitting fixing of a sliding block 11 or ofan adaptor 18 can be provided.

FIG. 4 shows a sliding block 11 according to FIGS. 1 and 2 in aperspective illustration. It is seen that, apart from the central bore21 with an internal thread 13, the sliding block 11 has a substantiallyconstant cross sectional profile over the length thereof. The slidingblock 11 can have an approximately identical length to width. Since theloading rail 1 generally has a multiple of the length illustrated inFIG. 3, a plurality of sliding blocks 11 can be inserted into such aloading rail. While the sliding block 11 is prevented by the profileconfiguration according to the invention from being pulled out in thetransverse direction, the sliding block 11 can be inserted into theloading rail 1 from the end thereof and displaced in the longitudinaldirection.

A further embodiment of a loading rail according to the invention isillustrated in FIG. 5. As indicated by the position of the loading railin FIG. 5, said loading rail, like the other embodiments described, canbe attached, for example, to a vehicle wall. A screw 22 serving for thispurpose is illustrated symbolically in FIG. 5. A longitudinal centerplane 23 of the loading rail 1, to which the loading rail 1 is ofmirror-symmetrical design, is likewise indicated in FIG. 5. The height hof the loading rail can be, for example, approx. 28 mm, the width b canbe approx. 60 mm and the width c of the longitudinal slot can be approx.16 mm. The length of the loading rail can amount to several meters.

Further embodiments of loading rails according to the invention areshown in FIGS. 6 a to 6 c. The loading rail 1 here is integrated in eachcase in profile elements 24 which can be, for example, parts of a floorpanel, wall panel or ceiling panel. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 a to 6 c,the side walls 25 and the lower wall 26 can be designed as cross strutsof the profile elements 24 or can be connected thereto, FIG. 6 a showingan asymmetrical configuration, and FIGS. 6 b and 6 c each showingsymmetrical configurations, of the integrated loading rail 1. A profileelement 24 here can in each case comprise a plurality of integratedloading rails 1. The profile elements 24 can be produced, for example,by extrusion. This makes it possible in a simple manner to provide ahighly rigid, secure and versatile fastening possibility capable ofbearing loads, for example for loads, installations and seats.

FIGS. 7 a to 7 c show profile elements or loading floors with integratedloading rails in cross sectional and perspective illustrations, whereina plurality of profile elements 24 can be connected in each case to forma loading floor 27. The cross sectional profile of the loading railmarked by the circle in FIG. 7 a corresponds here to that shown in FIG.6 c. The cross sectional profile of the loading rail of the profileelement 24 illustrated in FIG. 7 b corresponds to that shown in FIG. 6b, and recesses 28, by means of which the corresponding sliding blockscan also be inserted and removed from above, can be seen in theperspective illustration of FIG. 7 b. As FIG. 7 b shows, a profileelement 24 can also comprise a plurality of integrated loading rails.FIG. 7 c shows profile elements 24 with an integrated loading railhaving an open base 29, as a result of which increased flexibility ofthe loading floor 27 formed by the profile elements is achieved.

FIG. 8 shows the loading rail 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the slidingblock 11 inserted therein, in an enlarged illustration of a detail. Theupper side 4 of the loading rail 1 is directed substantiallyhorizontally. That end side of the web 7 which bounds the longitudinalslot 3 is formed vertically in the upper region thereof and merges inthe lower region thereof into a slope 30. The slope 30 has a surfacenormal n which forms an angle α with a horizontal direction. A lowerside of the projection 8 adjoining the slope 30 is formed substantiallyhorizontally. The adjoining rear side of the projection 8 has a surfaceregion with a surface normal n′ which points away from the longitudinalslot 3, is directed obliquely upward and encloses an angle β with ahorizontal direction. In particular, the surface of the web or of theprojection, starting from the upper side 4 of the web 7, as far as theregion of the undercut is curved by more than 270°, and, starting fromthe inside 31 of the web 7, is curved by more than 90°.

The cross sectional profile of the central part 12 and of the side part14 of the sliding block 11 is formed in a complementary manner in theupper region to the inner profile of the loading rail 1. The centralpart 12 and the side part 14 are separated from each other by a groove32 which is formed in a complementary manner to the projection 8 andaccommodates the latter. An undercut 15 of the sliding block 11corresponds to the undercut 9 of the loading rail 1, said undercut 15being formed by an overhang by which the side part 14 projects beyond abase of the groove 31. In the region of the undercut, the side part 14has a surface normal n″ which is directed obliquely downward withrespect to the central part 12 and encloses an angle γ with a horizontaldirection.

The surface normals n′, n″ run substantially parallel to each other, andtherefore β and γ are approximately identical. The surface normal n isalso directed substantially parallel to n′ and n″, and therefore a alsohas approximately the same value as β or γ. The angles mentioned can be,for example, within the range of 35°-45°.

For the sake of clarity, not all of the reference numbers are depictedin all of the figures. Reference numbers not explained in the text havethe same meaning as in the other figures.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

-   1 Loading rail-   2 Cavity-   3 Longitudinal slot-   4 Upper side-   5 Side wall-   6 Lower side-   7 Web-   8 Projection-   9 Undercut-   10 Guide slope-   11 Sliding block-   12 Central part-   13 Internal thread-   14 Side part-   15 Undercut-   16 Clearance-   17 Screw-   18 Adaptor-   19 Bore-   20 Recess-   21 Bore-   22 Screw-   23 Longitudinal center plane-   24 Profile element-   25 Side wall-   26 Lower wall-   27 Loading floor-   28 Recess-   29 Base-   30 Slope-   31 Inside-   32 Groove

1. A loading rail comprising a cross sectional profile which is uniformover at least part of the length of said loading rail and which has, onan upper side, a longitudinal groove for receiving at least one slidingblock, the longitudinal groove being constricted in an upper region byat least one web, which is attached to a side wall of the longitudinalgroove, to form a longitudinal slot, and the web bearing at least onedownwardly projecting projection, wherein the projection forms anundercut on a side facing away from the longitudinal slot, as seen frombelow.
 2. The loading rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at leastone projection is adjacent to the longitudinal slot.
 3. The loading railas claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one projection is directedtoward a guide surface of the loading rail.
 4. The loading rail asclaimed in claim 3, wherein the guide surface is designed as a guideslope on the inside of a side wall of the loading rail.
 5. The loadingrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one projection has aslope on the side thereof facing the longitudinal slot.
 6. The loadingrail as claimed in claim 5, wherein the slope is formed at leastapproximately parallel to a surface of the projection in the region ofthe undercut.
 7. The loading rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein thelongitudinal groove is constricted by two mutually opposite webs whicheach bear a projection, the two projections forming undercuts.
 8. Theloading rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading rail is ofmirror-symmetrical design with respect to a longitudinal center plane.9. The loading rail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading rail hasa flat lower side.
 10. A sliding block for a loading rail, comprising acentral part and at least one side part, the central part being designedfor interaction with a connector which is insertable through alongitudinal slot in a loading rail, wherein, on an upper side of thesliding block, as seen from a lower side of the sliding block, the atleast one side part forms an undercut directed toward the central part.11. The sliding block as claimed in claim 10, wherein the central partmerges via a slope into the side part.
 12. The sliding block as claimedin claim 10, wherein the sliding block is of symmetrical design withrespect to a longitudinal center plane and has two side parts which ineach case, on an upper side of the sliding block, as seen from a lowerside of the sliding block, form an undercut directed toward the centralpart.
 13. The sliding block as claimed in claim 10, wherein the slidingblock is designed as a sliding nut with a thread for receiving a screw,which is insertable through the longitudinal slot, of a fastener. 14.The sliding block as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sliding block isdesigned for nonpositive fixing on the loading rail.
 15. The loadingrail as claimed in claim 1, wherein the loading rail is installed on avehicle.
 16. A loading rail comprising a longitudinal groove forreceiving at least one sliding block, the groove being constricted in anupper region by at least one web attached to a side wall of the grooveto form a longitudinal slot, the web bearing at least one downwardprojection that forms an undercut on a side facing away from thelongitudinal slot.
 17. The loading rail as claimed in claim 16, whereinthe loading rail comprises a cross-sectional profile which is uniformover at least part of the length of the loading rail.
 18. The loadingrail as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one projection isadjacent to the longitudinal slot.
 19. The loading rail as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the loading rail is installed on a vehicle.